The first Time I went solo backpacking was in Death Valley. The first night out I set up my tidy little camp, prepared a nice dinner and enjoyed it as the sun went down. Afterwards I went into my tent (I used to backpack with a tent in the old days but for many years now I only use a tarp and bivy sack) and read a little bit before finally turning off my headlamp and going to sleep.
Only I didn't go to sleep, at least not at first. Almost as soon as I lay down in the absolute darkness, miles away from anyone or anything I knew (this was my first trip to Death Valley) I was overwhelmed with fear -- pure terror that had me shaking in my sleeping bag like a terrified chihuahua. Real paroxysms that lasted maybe 15-20 minutes and all I could do was experience it. There wasn't any relief to be had because I was all alone and in the desert. It was the first time I'd really dealt with all my fears of the dark and loneliness and weakness. But when it passed, there was some big knot I had been carrying my whole life that passed away with it. It was a real inspiration for other, similar backpacking trips that I came to understand as personal vision quests. Great stuff. Good luck. *** --- In [email protected], Emily Reyn <emilymae.reyn@...> wrote: > > I did 5 days at Beach 2, on the beach, a few years ago. Â The ocean is > calling again :) > > Throughout the years, I've been to Neah Bay, Rialto/La Push and south to > Kalaloch area and also took my kids - it is magnificent to say the least. Â I > was thinking further south at Grayland or Cape Disappointment State Park, but > the walk-in I wanted is booked as are both entire parks for my "last minute" > timeframe here. Â I think I'm going to car camp with a tent at Ocean City and > make that a base. Â More people than I'm used to and the beach is more > urbanized and the terrain not as spectacular, but I haven't done anything > solo for a long time, or for this long, so it might be good to have a few > amenities. Â I'm in a huge amount of fear...might as well go confront it. Â > > > ________________________________ > From: marekreavis <reavismarek@...> > To: [email protected] > Sent: Tuesday, May 15, 2012 4:12 AM > Subject: [FairfieldLife] Re: Short video > > > Â > Where do you plan to go, Emily? Somewhere on the Olympic Peninsula? When my > children were small we'd go camping around La Push or along Third Beach. It > is so magnificent all along that coastline. > > *** > > --- In [email protected], Emily Reyn <emilymae.reyn@> wrote: > > > > Ya see, I thought so. ÃÂ It's important to get to the beach. ÃÂ I decided > > on my drive up today that I am going to go spend 2 weeks at the beach in > > June. ÃÂ Backpack in a bit and just be near the ocean. ÃÂ It is the best > > place I've found to be with the Universe, after all. ÃÂ After all, life is > > short. ÃÂ I can look for a job when I get back. ÃÂ > > > > > > ________________________________ > > From: marekreavis <reavismarek@> > > To: [email protected] > > Sent: Monday, May 14, 2012 7:22 PM > > Subject: [FairfieldLife] Short video > > > > > > ÃÂ > > Matt Whitehead, a surfer and a traveler first, and a plumber when funds are > > required to continue to travel and surf, gives some "travel advice" he's > > gleaned along his journey. > > > > Worthwhile to watch (for the waves alone) and value in listening to what he > > believes he's learned. > > > > http://www.surfline.com/video/featured-clips/travel-guide-matt-whitehead_70264 > > > > 4 mins. 11 secs. > > >
